Product Description

After his martyrdom at the hands of the Gestapo in 1945, Dietrich Bonhoeffer continued his witness in the hearts of Christians around the world. In his book Life Together we learn of Pastor Bonhoeffer's experience within Christian community. This story of a unique fellowship in an underground seminary during the Nazi years reads like one of Paul's letters. It gives practical advice on how life together in Christ can be sustained in families and groups. The role of personal prayer, worship in common, everyday work, and Christian service is treated in simple, almost biblical, words. Life Together serves as bread to all who are hungry for the real life of Christian fellowship.

Publisher's Description

After his martyrdom at the hands of the Gestapo in 1945, Dietrich Bonhoeffer continued his witness in the hearts of Christians around the world. His Letters and Papers from Prison became a prized testimony to Christian faith and courage, read by thousands. Now in Life Together we have Pastor Bonhoeffer's experience of Christian community. This story of a unique fellowship in an underground seminary during the Nazi years reads like one of Paul's letters. It gives practical advice on how life together in Christ can be sustained in families and groups. The role of personal prayer, worship in common, everyday work, and Christian service is treated in simple, almost biblical, words. Life Together is bread for all who are hungry for the real life of Christian fellowship.

Author Bio

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906–1945) was a renowned and beloved Christian minister, seminary professor, and theologian who was imprisoned and later executed by the Nazis for his resistance to Hitler. He was the author of the bestselling classic The Cost of Discipleship, Life Together, and Letters and Papers from Prison.

Having read this book for the first time ten years ago and nearly every year since, it's safe to say that I hold Bonhoeffer's work in high regard. His understanding of the importance of the Body of Christ for the lives of all believers is forged in the midst of Nazi Germany, at a time when that community and its longevity were uncertain. Bonhoeffer is writing to German Christians, but it might as well be American Christians today that are his target audience. The opening pages give us this great quote and, I believe, thesis statement from Bonhoeffer: "It is by the grace of God that a congregation is permitted to gather visibly in this world to share God's Word and sacrament" Translation: Don't take the Body of Christ, the Church for granted. With all of its flaws and warts, it is still the Body of Christ, established by his blood. There is so much more in this book to commend to Christians everywhere, but this is not a formal review, so I encourage you to buy a copy and read for yourself. You may wonder, as I did, where this book has been all your life!

Having read this book for the first time ten years ago and nearly every year since, it's safe to say that I hold Bonhoeffer's work in high regard. His understanding of the importance of the Body of Christ for the lives of all believers is forged in the midst of Nazi Germany, at a time when that community and its longevity were uncertain. Bonhoeffer is writing to German Christians, but it might as well be American Christians today that are his target audience. The opening pages give us this great quote and, I believe, thesis statement from Bonhoeffer: "It is by the grace of God that a congregation is permitted to gather visibly in this world to share God's Word and sacrament" Translation: Don't take the Body of Christ, the Church for granted. With all of its flaws and warts, it is still the Body of Christ, established by his blood. There is so much more in this book to commend to Christians everywhere, but this is not a formal review, so I encourage you to buy a copy and read for yourself. You may wonder, as I did, where this book has been all your life!

For anybody who needs a kick in the rear to get involved in genuine christian community. This is the book for you. Bonhoeffer clearly shows the functions, duties, and incomparable benefits of being involved in deep relationships within the family of God.

Very thought-provoking, especially for somebody who is used to a modern evangelical church model.

Bonhoeffer is essentially a modern saint and his martyrdom showcased how he was a man who deeply practiced what he preached. Pick up and read anything he's written. He is both deep and simple, as well as philosophical and yet very practical.

Life Together is a series of 5 essays about various components to Christian unity. His first essay is on community, starting his essay by quoting Psalm 133, but ultimately basing it on Christ. His second essay is a treatise on the Christian family and his third is on the value of solitude and silence. The fourth essay is on how to prevent discord in community and then his final chapter is on the importance and how to practice confession.

This is a wonderful book, it's a short read but it takes awhile to digest what he's saying. It would make for a good small group resource (which would keep in the theme of Christian unity) and also falls under the general realm of spiritual practices/disciplines. If you've never read Bonhoeffer this would be a good start and if you have read some of his other works, this will not disappoint.

Staff Reviews

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Reviewed by James Wilcox, January 19, 2006

Life Together is a beautifully written collection of essays that were composed during the reign of Germany's Third Reich, when Dietrich Bonhoeffer taught and lived in a fellowship of underground seminarians. Giving practical and necessary advice to followers of Jesus, Bonhoeffer emphasizes that Christians must be bound to one another in the participation of life together in Christ. The role of personal and communal prayer, worship in common, everyday work, and Christian service are treated in simple, but very Biblical words. Life Together is bread for all who are hungry for the real life of Christian fellowship.